One of the largest and most respected Jewish film festivals in North America, the Washington Jewish Film Festival (WJFF) is an international exhibition of cinema that celebrates the diversity of Jewish history, culture and experience through the moving image.

In addition to the annual festival, the WJFF presents an ongoing, year-round film series, in our home venue at the Edlavitch DCJCC. Between the flagship Festival and year-round program, the WJFF annually serves over 18,000 people through 150+ screenings, nearly all of which are regional, US or world premieres. Most screenings are followed by discussions with guest filmmakers and subject matter experts.

The 28th Festival lit up screens throughout the DC metropolitan area May 2-13, 2018.

WJFF Staff

Ilya Tovbis became the Washington Jewish Film Festival Director in 2012. He has extensive programming experience in both the Jewish and broader film worlds, having previously worked with the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, The Picture House, The JCC of NY’s Israel Film Center and the Mill Valley Film Festival.

Prior to coming on as the WJFF Director, Ilya was the Director of Programming at The Picture House, a historic arthouse cinema located in Southern Westchester. The theater annually attracted over 25,000 people to a varied selection of programming with a focus on international, documentary and independent film. Before his tenure with The Picture House, Ilya worked at two of the nation’s most prestigious Jewish film programs — the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and The JCC in Manhattan’s Israel Film Center. The SFJFF is the country’s oldest and largest Jewish Film Festival, while the IFC is the preeminent US body focused on the promotion of Israeli cinema.

Alexis Rodríguez is the WJFF Outreach and Communications Manager. He has a background in arts marketing and is passionate about bringing organizations closer to their communities. Prior to joining the EDCJCC, he worked on grassroots marketing and public relations strategies at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Strathmore. He also helped develop and manage their Brainiacs program, an audience engagement aimed at boosting retention among new subscribers. Alexis graduated from American University with an MA in Arts Management in 2015 and a BA in Marketing from the University of Puerto Rico in 2012.

Carolyn Hoehner is the Program Coordinator. She brings a diverse background in theater production and administration to the WJFF/WJMF. Prior to joining the EDCJCC, Carolyn worked in audience services for Roundabout Theatre Company in New York, NY and annually provided production support for the American Dance Festival in Durham, NC, one of the nation’s largest and most prominent dance festivals. Carolyn believes in the transformative power of excellent storytelling and is passionate about supporting artists and engaging audience members. She holds a B.A from James Madison University in Theater and English Literature.

Venue

AARON & CECILE GOLDMAN THEATER

Edlavitch DCJCC
1529 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
Metro: Red Line to Dupont Circle Metro Station. Exit north to Q Street and walk east along Q Street.
Metrobus: The S route (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5) runs north and south along 16th Street. The G2 route originates in Georgetown and travels across P Street (1 block south of Q Street). Visit www.wmata.com to plan your public transit route.

PARKING
If you are planning to drive, remember to leave plenty of time for parking. There is limited on-street parking available. There are two nearby Colonial Parking Garages: 1616 P Street NW (between 16th and 17th Streets) and 1515 15th Street NW (between 14th and 15th Streets, entrance on P Street). Use Parking Panda to guarantee your spot!

EDLAVITCH DCJCC PARKING LOT
Limited spaces available. Enter on Q Street just after the building. Parking fees: $8 for up to three hours, $12 for over three hours and $5 flat rate for members and seniors with validated tickets. Free daytime parking weekdays until 6:00 pm, Saturday until 6:30 pm and Sunday until 2:30 pm. Parking fees apply all other hours regardless of entry time. Please visit the EDCJCC website for more information about parking.